Modulating valve



Feb. 14, 1950 STEVENS 2,497,635

MODULATING VALVE Filed may 28, 1948 fzzveaor CZZI'J Sie veras Agay;

Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE MODULATING VALVE Carl I. Stevens, Melrose, Mass. Application May 2s, 1948,'seria1No. 29,748

(o1. isi-103) 2 Claims. l

This invention relates to a, valve suitable for a one-pipe steam system such, for example, as is customarily used in domestic heating, the present application being a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial No. 695,234, filed September 6, 1946.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a reliable and eicient modulating valve in which the ports of both the steam inlet and condensate return are -controlled by one operation, and to provide a valve embodying a Water seal through which the condensate must pass in returning to the boiler, and which is operative to permit the condensate to return into the supply line as steam is being admitted through the valve.

Further objects relate to various features of construction and will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a valve constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the valve casing with the stem, bonnet and associated parts removed; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 2.

The embodiment hereinl shown for the purpose of illustration comprises a valve casing I having a horizontal web or partition 2 formed With a centrai opening shaped to provide a conical valve seat 4, the partition 2 dening an inlet chamber 5 formed at its outer end with a conventional coupling member 6 for connection with a steam supply pipe, and an outlet chamber 8 having the usual laterally disposed coupling member I dening a steam outlet I I connected with a pipe I2 which leads to a radiator or other steam-consuming device. The upper part of the casing is formed with a threaded opening I4 which receives the bonnet I (Fig. 1).

The valve seat 4 defines the main valve port between the inlet and outlet chambers and the body of the valve casing adjacent to the junction of the partition 2 and outlet II is formed with a generally U-shaped water seal or trap I6 having one leg or condensate inlet I1 communicating with the passage II and the other leg or condensate outlet I8 extending upwardly and termi' nating in an opening I9 formed Within the con iines of the conical valve seat 4.

The outer wall of the casing I which constitutes part of the trap I6 is drilled and tapped to provide a drain opening 20 (Fig. 2) which is normally closed by a removable plug 22 (Fig. 1). The construction and arrangement of parts are such that condensate in the pipe I2 ovvs into the outlet passage II, through trap I6 and then trickles from the opening I9 over `the inner wall of the arm I8 into the inlet chamber 5 and supply pipe associated therewith, thus permitting the condensate to return without interfering with the flow of steam through the main port.

The valve member 25 (Fig. 1) comprises a frusto-conical cap shaped squarely to seat on the beveled valve seat 4, thereby not only closing the main valve opening, but also the condensate or return opening I9. The cap or valve member 25 is secured to a valve stem 30 having the usual conventional threaded engagement with the bonnet I5 so that rotation of the stem 36 in one direction or the other moves the valve member 25 toward and away from its seat 4. The valve stem 30 projects through the bonnet I5 and carries the usual operating handle 34, a conventional packing gland 36 and associated parts being provided to insure a fluid-tight seal.

The marginal portion of the bonnet I5 is formed with a boss 38 which constitutes a stop 0r abutment for limiting the opening movement of the valve member 25. To this end the upper part of the stem 3U is provided with a sleevelike member 4U having a depending :linger 4I engageable with the boss 38, the linger 4I being so disposed that when the valve member 25 is in closed position the nger 4I is spaced from the stop 38 an angular distance corresponding to the maximum amount that the valve member 25 is to be opened under any condition of operation. Hence, when the valve stem 30 is rotated in a counterclockwise, valve-opening direction, the depending finger 4I strikes the stop 33 which limits further rotation and hence opening of the valve member 25.

When the valve member 25 is in closed position, it not only closes the main port but also the condensate opening I9; and opening of the valve member 25 not only opens the port from inlet chamber 5 to outlet lchamber 8, but simultaneously opens the condensate return port I9 to permit condensate to flow back into the supply pipe or riser without interfering with steam or heating fluid passing through the inlet chamber 5, thus overcoming the well-known waterharnmer effect. Both the main steam port and the condensate opening are thus controlled in one operation.

The usual domestic steam heating system embodies intermittent ring and in the normal use of the system the radiator valves are usually open. Heretofore with the conventional valve it has been extremely di'lcult, as a practical matter, to crack the valve so as to allow a minimum iiow of steam into the radiator and simultaneously return of the condensate without encountering the Well-known waterehammer effect. As above pointed out, the valve of the present invention permits the entry of steam and simultaneously' return of condensate, regardless of the position of `the valve member, Without interfering with the normal flow of steam.

While I have shown and described one desirable embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A moldulating valve for a one-pipe steam system comprising a valve casing having a steam inlet port and a steam outlet port, a partition within said casing having an opening shaped to provide a frusta-'conical surface which denes the valve seat of the main valve port, said partition defining an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber at each side of said valve port, said frusto-conical. surface having a condensate openingy formed within its confines, a U-shaped trap having. one arm communicating with said outlet chamber at al point adjacent to said steam outlet port and its other arm communicating with said condensate opening so that condensate may now from said outlet port through said trap and trickle down said frusto-conical surface to said steam inlet port, and a frusto-conical valve member movable toward and away from said valve seat so as simultaneously to close said valve port and condensate opening when said valve member is moved against said seat and open said condensate opening and valve port when moved away from said seat.

2. A modulating valve for a one-pipe steam system, comprising an angle valve casing having a steam inlet port at its bottom and a lateral steam outlet port, a partition Within said casing intermediate the inlet and outlet 'ports dening an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition having a valve opening formed with a frusto-conical Wall which provides a valve seat, saidxwa-ll having a condensate opening within its confines at a point adjacent to said steam outlet port, a U-shaped trap integral with said partition and casing and having one arm communicating with said condensate opening and its other arm communicating with said outlet chamber at a point adjacent to said steam outlet port, and a frusto-conical valve member movable toward and away from. said. seat so as simultaneously to close said valve opening and condensate opening when said valve member is moved against said seat and open said condensate opening and valve port when moved away from said seat.

CARL I. STEVENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le' di this patent:

N LTED S'I'A'Ills"v PATENTS Number Name Date 893,527 Lawler 4 July 14, 1908 935,113 Judge Sept. 28, 1909 2,274,436 Sneller-3 ..-he .me Feb. 24, 1942 2,357,097 Funtan --.n n-.--h Aug. 29, 1944 

